Database Users

[Q] is it really so fragile?!

I'm thinking of buying a GS2 and what scares me the most are the threads by people who cracked the screen.
All my phones fall, from the first siemens (back in the '90) to my my last htc hero.
At least once a month it makes a flight off the sofa, off the table, on the cement ... at most the back cover comes off, the battery flies away and the body (not the display) reports some scratches.
My hero also shows signs of bites and scratches by a cat, but nothing more!
(try to control a cat a let me know ...)
I read the last post of a poor guy whose s2 fell to less than one meter on the gravel and the display cracked!
But is it really so fragile?!
Is there someone whose s2 has been dropped from a reasonable height and the screen survived ?
L.

volpe71 said:
I'm thinking of buying a GS2 and what scares me the most are the threads by people who cracked the screen.
All my phones fall, from the first siemens (back in the '90) to my my last htc hero.
At least once a month it makes a flight off the sofa, off the table, on the cement ... at most the back cover comes off, the battery flies away and the body (not the display) reports some scratches.
My hero also shows signs of bites and scratches by a cat, but nothing more!
(try to control a cat a let me know ...)
I read the last post of a poor guy whose s2 fell to less than one meter on the gravel and the display cracked!
But is it really so fragile?!
Is there someone whose s2 has been dropped from a reasonable height and the screen survived ?
L.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
at the right angle anything can crack
buy this
youtube

You have a 4.3 inch screen, 8mm phone, ofcourse it's fragile. All of them are. Like ^ said, buy a nice case, and you'll have some protection against small falls.

If you cannot afford the Case Mate Tough Case , then Amazon has some reasonably cheap gel cases , do not buy a silicone case as they attract dirt/dust like a magnet

OP, I dropped mine from 1 meter height a number of times, but always on wooden or carpeted floor. Never dropped on concrete or gravel. But I bet most modern smart phones with large touchscreens will crack if dropped on hard surface landing on the screen or even not on the screen but at a proper angle like someone already mentioned.
Either buy a good case, or buy a tough weather and impact proof phone.

dropped mine 100 times.....apart from a few cosmetic scratches, been fine

volpe71 said:
Is there someone whose s2 has been dropped from a reasonable height and the screen survived ?
My hero also shows signs of bites and scratches by a cat, but nothing more!
(try to control a cat a let me know ...)
L.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dropped mine the first day from about 1.7 meters/5.6 feet(?) (I guess that's the height my ear is at) on the pavement. It's fine, just scratches and scuffs on the corners and the back, but nothing bad.
Bought the CaseMate Tough Case though, just to be sure.
PS. Damn cats! mine keeps battling my remote, it lights up as he touches it... chews through the lcd screens

I have just a full-body screen protector on mine and have dropped it a couple of times and its been fine. What part of the phone that hits the ground first is going to make a big difference too. If it hits the ground vertically on a corner than yes, you're more likely to have the screen crack. A couple of the reported cracks were from stress where the screen was in someones pocket and either pressed against something or sat on. Also, consider how many are out there now and the cracked screen reports are less than a dozen. I was afraid of it when I first got it but less so now.

qwerty warrior said:
at the right angle anything can crack
buy this
youtube
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gonna get one of those. Looks good.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

Having come from Nokia phones and Htc phones.. this is as light as a feather and just slipped through my hands quiet a few times.. but you get used to it..
Once it dropped of the table but no harm done. yes it is very light and I would suggest getting it a case or something to make it feel more in the HAnds although I never used cases on any of my phones leave alone screen protectors.
But yeah you get used to it after a while so go GET one

i threw mine, it still works. Buy a big leather case. Top tip of the day, it saves you ££££'s

You guys just need to be more careful with your phones.

DVC1985 said:
You guys just need to be more careful with your phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://youtu.be/lcepWNOuUuM

LOL at "iPhone Dropped in Slow Motion"
Tinderbox (UK) said:
If you cannot afford the Case Mate Tough Case , then Amazon has some reasonably cheap gel cases , do not buy a silicone case as they attract dirt/dust like a magnet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
600€ for the phone so the price of the case would not be a problem.
A must have accessory (for my use) is an active car holder; one you put the phone in without having to plug cables, to put the phone out from the case, etc. ( like the original samsung one )
Anyway, thanks to everybody.
At the end I think I'll go for the phone, some "invisible skin" protector and an insurance.
L.

I am really a bit confused about this entire thread. Maybe I just haven't seen the flood of threads complaining about cracked screens, but the only ones I've seen even remotely related are:
1) Some dude dropped a dumb bell on his phone. You be the judge of whether or not that is indicative of the screen's robustness.
2) Some dude dropped his phone into the toilet for a swim with some poo and water. And, it still survived.
So, I guess if you want a phone that is impervious to heavy metal weights being dropped directly on it, then yes, I would be wary of this phone. The good news is, if you're the type to possibly have your mobile phone go for a **** swim every once in a while, you're in luck.
All joking aside, get a decent case for it, screen protectors, and the phone is as well built as any other well built phone. Plus, the phone in its "naked state" is a bit too thin for me anyway.

I dropped mine from like 1,5M on solid stone. Landed on a corner which now has a little dent other then that there is nothing to see...
I was actually surprised it survived i have seen phones die from less.

1m height to solid stone
Dropped mine from 1m onto solid stone floor. Landed flat on the screen side. 2 or 3 fix points on backcover opened. Other than that, not even a scratch. Back cover was also ok.
I have read these unfortunate threads before and I admit I was scarred to to pick it up lol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ErXqnQKs-tA

cmd512 said:
I am really a bit confused about this entire thread. Maybe I just haven't seen the flood of threads complaining about cracked screens,
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Click to collapse
XDA is not the only place in the world talking about phones ... anyway, am I free to be scared and ask or not? ;-)
L.

dropped mine 2 days ago ad the screen is chipped and cracked, now on the lookout for a new piece of glass

Is the S 4 too weak?

I just pulled the S4 out of my trouser pocket (front) and the screen has been broken. :crying:
It did not drop or so but I went some kilometers in the car and it got some tension in the pocket Apparently the plastic chassis is rather soft and could not save the screen enough.

Can you show some pictures
Sent from my GT-I9500 using Tapatalk 2

Here you are. You can see the crack only when you look very closely. Don't know how to photograph this. When the screen is off you don't see nothing.

Id say it is a bit weak, Ive cracked my front glass (digitiser is fine) between the home button across the menu touch to the side. Ok I dropped it from 4 feet onto concrete but I dropped my S2 about a hundred times before the screen gave. It (S4) is still fully functioning so doesn't bother me, It was the second drop- the first just dented and chipped the chrome effect plastic surround bezel that really should be made of titanium on this phone as its so light and fragile.
I wont swap it on insurance exchange until I break it proper and it is unusable, Orange UK are very good with insurance, £25 admin fee and courier swap the next day.
Ive only had it 2 weeks !

loggy said:
Id say it is a bit weak, Ive cracked my front glass (digitiser is fine) between the home button across the menu touch to the side. Ok I dropped it from 4 feet onto concrete but I dropped my S2 about a hundred times before the screen gave. It (S4) is still fully functioning so doesn't bother me, It was the second drop- the first just dented and chipped the chrome effect plastic surround bezel that really should be made of titanium on this phone as its so light and fragile.
I wont swap it on insurance exchange until I break it proper and it is unusable, Orange UK are very good with insurance, £25 admin fee and courier swap the next day.
Ive only had it 2 weeks !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be more careful with your devices. You seem to drop them a lot. In less than two weeks you dropped your S4 two times. Something is definetly wrong with you. Put on a soft case at least.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium

MaKTaiL said:
You should be more careful with your devices. You seem to drop them a lot. In less than two weeks you dropped your S4 two times. Something is definetly wrong with you. Put on a soft case at least.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
Thanks, good advice, Ive just ordered one of >> these<< .I've got 2 years with this S4 so I may as well try not to break it as I really do tend to drop my phones a lot.. lol..

I put my phone in my front pocket all the time and this scares me before I got my S4.

tricki said:
I just pulled the S4 out of my trouser pocket (front) and the screen has been broken. :crying:
It did not drop or so but I went some kilometers in the car and it got some tension in the pocket Apparently the plastic chassis is rather soft and could not save the screen enough.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I seriously doubt the phone broke like that from just being in your pocket. Are you telling the whole story? I've had my S4 in my pocket every day since it was available on April 25th and it's still perfect. Oh yeah, I work in elevator constriction
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app

Buy rigid screen covering cases, pockets aren't safe they're either tight and exert pressure or they're loose and bang about, the phone is worth a lot of money and deserves protecting.

tricki said:
Here you are. You can see the crack only when you look very closely. Don't know how to photograph this. When the screen is off you don't see nothing.
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Click to collapse
There's definitely more to this story that you aren't telling us.

tricki said:
Here you are. You can see the crack only when you look very closely. Don't know how to photograph this. When the screen is off you don't see nothing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a cracked amoled and not the glass, which explains why you can't see anything with the screen off.
If you've ever seen an s3 / s4 amoled you'd know exactly how thin and fragile they are. Best way to explain it is like an egg shell. It breaks to bits when any pressure is exerted on it.
So it seems that pressure from your trousers has flexed the body and cracked the inner amoled screen.
Sent from my GT-I9305 using xda premium

Tricki, same happened me mate. Contacted o2 uk thru chat and explained what happend. They shipped me a new s4 straight away as its within the first 28days of purchase. The courier took the broke one back to o2. Hope you can get urs changed
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium

sxi200 said:
That's a cracked amoled and not the glass, which explains why you can't see anything with the screen off.
If you've ever seen an s3 / s4 amoled you'd know exactly how thin and fragile they are. Best way to explain it is like an egg shell. It breaks to bits when any pressure is exerted on it.
So it seems that pressure from your trousers has flexed the body and cracked the inner amoled screen.
Sent from my GT-I9305 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
glynnd said:
Tricki, same happened me mate. Contacted o2 uk thru chat and explained what happend. They shipped me a new s4 straight away as its within the first 28days of purchase. The courier took the broke one back to o2. Hope you can get urs changed
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your reply. It might be that there were some keys in my pocket when I had to carry some heavy stuff around.
Now I learned how fragile it is the hard way. I just hate those flip cover cases but it is "highly recommended" apparently.
I purchased the unit two weeks ago. I will see how nice the return policy is.

Your not alone Tricki There are at least 3 other threads with the same reports of the S4 breaking in pockets!
Mine broke in my pocket also!
To all these people saying there must be more to this story, mine was taken out of my car mount, put in my front right empty pocket (screen towards leg) after I got out of my car, I walked into my house took the phone back out of my pocket to discover the LCD had cracked! No physical damage anywhere on the outside of the phone, digitiser completely fine! Phone has never been dropped and hasn't been knocked on anything! Every other phone I have ever owned well over a dozen, over even more years has survived being carried like this!
To say the Amoled is very thin and fragile in the S4 is an understatement!

This is not new. Happend to the Galaxy S3 as well: https://community.verizonwireless.com/thread/777720?start=0&tstart=0

Pro tip of the day, dont leave your phone in the pocket when you are sitting somewhere.
Phones are suitable for pockets but not sitting on them...

shadowcore said:
Pro tip of the day, dont leave your phone in the pocket when you are sitting somewhere.
Phones are suitable for pockets but not sitting on them...
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Click to collapse
Thank you - but I don't sit on my front pockets. Anyway I thought a "Life Companion" would be a bit more durable

tricki said:
Thank you - but I don't sit on my front pockets. Anyway I thought a "Life Companion" would be a bit more durable
Click to expand...
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Actually, your report made me think about amoled displays. If they have this type of weakness, it makes them really fragile compared to LCD displays.
Also, my tip was meant to be general. I sometimes forget my phone on the pocket but I usually tend to take it out before sitting. Your report makes me think about this even more.
I wonder if this happens on other non-oled devices.
And one more thing,just because your pocket is on the front does not mean that a phone does not slide to the side.

Never heard of problems like this from the S2. I used to have one. I never took special care about it. It just worked fine and survived some drops.
I think a phone should survive some stress. Perhaps it is just the combination of size and plastic chassis.with the Galaxis which followed the S2.

bad apple?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3mhAVC6cBA

[Q] 1 week old, Hairline crack, Probably no coverage?

So I upgraded from my Galaxy S3 to my new S4 with Telus last week.
Yesterday night I was sitting down playing with my phone. I put it in my front pocket, and then took it back out less than 30 seconds later, while still sitting. I keep my phone in an otterbox, with screen protector, and keep nothing else in the pocket I keep my phone.
When I took my phone out, I noticed the display wasn't working. Sounds, etc were fine. After careful examination I noticed 2 small hairline cracks, one from the top middle, going down/left to the side, and another from the left/middle, going towards the other crack - however there is a large space in between where it is not cracked.
The cracks are NOT on the outside plastic piece, nor on the screen protector. They are on the inside screen only. There is some pixelization on the "top" area past the crack, and solid black/not working on the bottom. Never dropped this phone, put any excessive stress/pressure on it - absolutely blows my mind how this could happen.
So I went to Telus today to speak to them, they looked at it and the sales lady confirmed theres no impact marks on front/back and it just seems strange. The manager told me if they sent it away it would be 99% chance not covered under warranty and I would have to pay. He told me my best chance of anything, is to call Samsung. I left more than unimpressed.
So I call Samsung this afternoon. I tell them exactly what happened, draw the scenario out clearly - He tells me physical damage is not covered under warranty and screens do not break themselves. I tell him I agree, but there was no negligence on my part and I feel this must be a defect of some sort. He tells me he has never heard of this happening before and there is nothing he can do for me. I tell him we are are a wall and not understanding each other and ask to speak to a supervisor. Supervisor tells me the best they can do is give me a USP parcel to send my phone in to get looked at. If it's determined if it's physical damage, then I will have to pay to get it fixed and they will send me a quote and the phone back, if it's a defect of some sort they will cover it.
Just by the language that was used in the conversation (IE: Physical Damage, not covered) I don't have very high hopes on this matter. I understand it's physical damage, but that is very broad language. It's not physical damage due to negligence, but can this be proved one way or another? If only the screen shows a hairline crack, but nothing else - could this be my fault? If they do tell me it's not covered and I am to pay - What more can I do? Aside trying to fight Samsung in court over this (High cost, time, chance loosing and paying more), what are my options? Has anyone ever seen this happen before?
I'll upload some pictures in awhile.
Edit: Wow i'm not the only one, this guy wanst using a case though but still! I had an otter box on mine.
TL;DR - Screen broke, never dropped it or used carelessly, Telus won't do anything. Good chance Samsung wont cover it. What do

I had the same issue with my s3 that was in a Otterbox defender... Tmobile and Samsung told me the same thing and I was very disappointed...
The cracks wasn't even visible outside the Otterbox
X10a-Freedom

And the pictures...

Could the otterbox be putting compression stress on the phone edges?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium

I've noticed this device doesn't seem very sturdy. I wouldn't suggest trying this, but if you just hold each end long-ways and give your hands a slight twist it seems it's very flimsy. I don't doubt the gorilla glass 3 is strong as balls but the underlying screen isn't, which is what seems to be cracking a lot.
I think samsung made the phone so thin and poor choice of plastic grade that it can't withstand some normal wear and tear very easily. Had samsung choice an extremely tough plastic compound it may be a different story. Ever seen the plastics used on R/C cars? That stuff is tougher than nails! But hey, at least your screen won't get scratched!

orlandoxpolice said:
Could the otterbox be putting compression stress on the phone edges?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium
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I was thinking the same thing since my phone was never dropped or anything like that... In my case I would have never noticed my cracking if I didn't clean it
X10a-Freedom

I'm not sure about the otterbox case putting unnesseary stress on the phone or not. I dug up a few threads on here related to simmilar problems with the S4 - Others have had "pockets breaking AMOLED's" have NOT had a case on their phone.
Tough to say. I guess the case helps from impact damage such as a fall, but the AMOLED screen is still too fragile from flexing, case or no case.

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Screen issues. Lifting?

I do not have photos at the moment(no better camera atm) BUT on the sides the screen seems to be coming up. Bought the week it came out and haven't dropped it or replaced parts. Its not easily seen but I can press the sides down and the screen settles. Also its easily felt with the finger nail, it is not flush with the silver frame. It is like that on both sides. Anyone else have this issue?
Sent from my SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

toxicpaulution said:
I do not have photos at the moment(no better camera atm) BUT on the sides the screen seems to be coming up. Bought the week it came out and haven't dropped it or replaced parts. Its not easily seen but I can press the sides down and the screen settles. Also its easily felt with the finger nail, it is not flush with the silver frame. It is like that on both sides. Anyone else have this issue?
Sent from my SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's causing you issues, then go back to AT&T and explain to them what the problem is, they might be able to swap it out, send it to AT&T or send it to Samsung for repairs.
Oh yeah. No problems with my device.

emckai said:
If it's causing you issues, then go back to AT&T and explain to them what the problem is, they might be able to swap it out, send it to AT&T or send it to Samsung for repairs.
Oh yeah. No problems with my device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I do not use the insurance anymore, took it off about a month ago. Plus if I take it back they would swap it out for an mf3 so no thankyou xD I am just wondering if anyone else had that issue, aybe it could be that the phone has been getting super hot and caused the glue to mess up? I have sen my phone hit 50 degrees cel and up. I tax my phone a lot because I am on it all the time, I prefer it more than the PC.

See

It can be possible that the heat is causing the issue but the adhesive that is applied onto modern phones are very strong. Especially the adhesive bonding the glass and AMOLED. I doubt the heat from the phone will cause any kind of issues towards the adhesive on the AMOLED+glass. You'll need to get the screen to around 70C (constant) for the adhesive to become soft.
Regarding the insurance, if you bought it the week it came out you should still have warranty with Samsung. (1 year manufacturer)

Fine scratches

Anyone else have very faint surface scratches on the back of their phone? No idea how I got them on this supposedly sturdy phone, but they are there. The phone has been on microfiber resting at all times.
My question is this, anyone think we can polish the back to get light scratches out?
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

I have this same thing going on, day 3 with the device. They're not that noticable but I know they're there and that's what bugs me. Somewhere I read said it could be scratches in oleophobic coating... IDK. JerryRigEverythings scratch test didn't show any markings until around 8 on the hardness scale.
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sk33ls said:
I have this same thing going on, day 3 with the device. They're not that noticable but I know they're there and that's what bugs me. Somewhere I read said it could be scratches in oleophobic coating... IDK. JerryRigEverythings scratch test didn't show any markings until around 8 on the hardness scale.
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Yea I saw the video. That's what has me annoyed. Essentials talk of durability is well documented. Add that to the fact that no cases are readily available means you kinda need to just put up with whatever happens. I'm wondering if we can just use a mild polish on the back to alleviate any minor scratches. Mine are almost invisible, but I their presence at all on a phone I baby, bothers me.
I think baking soda and water would do the trick.
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

I began to see fine scratches on the back of mine within days. I carry it in my front pocket with nothing else. I'm not aware of any rough treatment at all. I feel disappointed as well.

Same problem here ,another thing to be disappointed besides the Camera.

Same here

I was getting some as well. Try the polish out and see if it works? I don't think anyones tried it yet. Also if you don't mind covering the back you can always throw a skin on it. Also makes the phone a lot less slippery

I had quite a few on my first unit. My replacement unit I have none so far but I put a dbrand skin on it the minute I took it out of the box. My first one also had some scratches in the titanium near the charging port and a nick on the side that came from who knows what.

NeutronBomb said:
I had quite a few on my first unit. My replacement unit I have none so far but I put a dbrand skin on it the minute I took it out of the box. My first one also had some scratches in the titanium near the charging port and a nick on the side that came from who knows what.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. Have you complained to customer support about scratches? I wonder what their take is.
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NeutronBomb said:
I had quite a few on my first unit. My replacement unit I have none so far but I put a dbrand skin on it the minute I took it out of the box. My first one also had some scratches in the titanium near the charging port and a nick on the side that came from who knows what.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also have fine scratches on the back of mine, with scratches near the USB c port. I also have a replacement supposedly on the way, but for freezing & random reboot issues. What did they replace your phone for? How long did it take for you to get the replacement?

Mine was for bad light bleed and the coating on the titanium coming off. Now I have to exchange again because the one they sent me has no speaker grille.
They sent the replacement next day air after they called to confirm. I had already sent my defective device in. This was before they started doing advanced replacement.

I wish you hadn't said anything.. I have them too
Maybe they could be polished out, but if it scratches this easily they are destined to return.

The phone is not supposed to be scratch proof. I'll be surprised if they'll take your phone back just because of slight scratched. Put it in a sleeve to install vinyl backing for peace of mind.

Mine had scratches from day one... lol Just placed my replacement order yesterday but I don't expect to get it anytime soon. Phone is off and collecting dust til I get the box to return it. They stated they wouldn't have any new devices (hopefully ones w/o much of the hardware issues like the speaker grille) in stock until this week when they emailed me last week.

I ended up getting a replacement from essential and placing a skin on the back to protect from getting these fine scratches. I don't hate it as much as I thought I would, I miss the shiny back but I like not having scratches and finger prints all over the back. Wahoo!
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

Had mine for over six weeks, and no scratches here.

I have a ton of scratches near the camera and magnet ports. No idea how they got there since I carry my phone in my pocket with nothing else in it. The only thing I could think of would be resting it on it's back on a table and sliding it to pick it up? Odd how it is only around the top part. Fingerprint sensor and below is spotless.

Malacant said:
I have a ton of scratches near the camera and magnet ports. No idea how they got there since I carry my phone in my pocket with nothing else in it. The only thing I could think of would be resting it on it's back on a table and sliding it to pick it up? Odd how it is only around the top part. Fingerprint sensor and below is spotless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Close to that area are the magnets, magnets attract metal and sand, sand is one of the few things that can scratch glass and ceramic. Sometimes even if we believe or not we have sand in our packets due to daily life. Then we have scratches without knowing where we scratched.
Sent from my SM-N950U1 using XDA-Developers Legacy app

I don't understand people complaining about micro scratches like it's something wrong with the phone? If you live in a place that has sand then you should have some type of protection on your device if you don't want scratches. Sand (silica) is harder than any coating and will scratch any phone. It also can become ubiquitous. One of the persons here literally has a user pic with them on the beach! Why make it Essentials fault when your failure to protect your phone is the issue?

I got my scratches at my corporate office in my cube. Nowhere near beach or anything of that sort. Was just playing with it and setting it up. Anyone who's not using any protection on the back and have been using it regularly saying they don't have any scratches, please share a close up video of your phone's back in nice HD detail close up so we can be in awe of your magical device with no scratches. Be sure to move it around under a bright light too. Lol. Be real people, you're gonna get scratches without a protection, whether it's a skin, case or whatever.